Rumour GFC 2025 Player Trading, Drafting FA, Rumours and Wish lists Pt 1

[iameviljez]

He won't be cheap though, and if we are complaining about Conway being fragile at least we aren't paying him a lot til he proves himself.
If he was cheap I would be totally up for taking the risk. But Freo will want high picks and he won't have a cheap enough contract.
This year is make or break for him, he had two seasons of 21 games where he showed flashes of being a top top tier ruck, but in 2023 he broke down late in the season and in 2021 he was busted at the start of the season.

And now he is missing games at the start of this season.
If he is going to break down again, whats the bet he misses from Rds 6 to 12 or so?

There's also the question of how many eggs you throw in that ruckman basket. We only have so many picks, and so many list spots.

 

[moond0g]

There's also the question of how many eggs you throw in that ruckman basket. We only have so many picks, and so many list spots.

Yeah I think that ship has sailed for a little while given we've invested in young rucks in the draft over the previous few years.

Could still see us picking up a fringe/backup ruck from another club, or less likely a mature state leaguer for next season with Stanley retiring if we're not confident in any of our young rucks being able to play in 2026. But Darcy doesn't fit that bill, neither does Jackson

 

[Hamingja]

Yeah I think that ship has sailed for a little while given we've invested in young rucks in the draft over the previous few years.

Could still see us picking up a fringe/backup ruck from another club, or less likely a mature state leaguer for next season with Stanley retiring if we're not confident in any of our young rucks being able to play in 2026. But Darcy doesn't fit that bill, neither does Jackson

Jackson would given he could play ruck/forward so could pair with a Conway ruck only type. Whether he would be worth the trade cost is another debate. Darcy definitely wouldn't fit. Someone compared Darcy to McIntosh but I would compare him to King instead. Racked up the miles early in the career and injuries mean he is just not the same player now. Jackson is Ottens.

 

[iameviljez]

Jackson would given he could play ruck/forward so could pair with a Conway ruck only type. Whether he would be worth the trade cost is another debate. Darcy definitely wouldn't fit. Someone compared Darcy to McIntosh but I would compare him to King instead. Racked up the miles early in the career and injuries mean he is just not the same player now. Jackson is Ottens.

I think Jackson's not really the right fit for that either, though - he's a ruckman who can pinch hit forward IMO, not the other way round.

Just my opinion, but the best second rucks are ones who have a really good first position, and pinch-hit in the ruck. IMO that's what has made Rory Lobb, Joe Daniher and Mark Blicavs really valuable. Between De Koning and Neale, we have two options with a really good primary position who can back-up in the ruck.

 

[moond0g]

Jackson would given he could play ruck/forward so could pair with a Conway ruck only type. Whether he would be worth the trade cost is another debate. Darcy definitely wouldn't fit. Someone compared Darcy to McIntosh but I would compare him to King instead. Racked up the miles early in the career and injuries mean he is just not the same player now. Jackson is Ottens.

I feel like the whole reason Jackson's name is being speculated about for a trade is because Freo are playing him as a forward/ruck alongside Darcy (or Reidy), rather than as a solo ruck.

I doubt he would want to be traded to another club to end up in the same position. I also doubt clubs would want to spend that much money to then play him predominantly as a forward when that's not his best position.

 

[My Tilly]

I feel like the whole reason Jackson's name is being speculated about for a trade is because Freo are playing him as a forward/ruck alongside Darcy (or Reidy), rather than as a solo ruck.

I doubt he would want to be traded to another club to end up in the same position. I also doubt clubs would want to spend that much money to then play him predominantly as a forward when that's not his best position.

As a solo ruck, Jackson would be unreal. He is arguably the most agile big man in the game right now and he is only 23 years of age. 2025 may really see him increase his trade capital.

 

[And_ROOS]

I feel like the whole reason Jackson's name is being speculated about for a trade is because Freo are playing him as a forward/ruck alongside Darcy (or Reidy), rather than as a solo ruck.

I doubt he would want to be traded to another club to end up in the same position. I also doubt clubs would want to spend that much money to then play him predominantly as a forward when that's not his best position.

Jackson would be a massive upgrade on what Blicavs was. He is very mobile, great at popping up for a goal, but you need to pair him with a mobile ruck who can swap with him.

If Blicavs retired and we brought Jackson into the current team, you could play Jackson on ball while SDK is in defense and Neale is up forward, then when Neale is off for a breather you put Jackson forward and SDK into the ruck, and then Neale pinch hits in the ruck while SDK goes back to defence and Jackson stays forward.

No chance a deal for Jackson happens, or if it did we likely have to give up SDK (which i feel most on the board here would be ok with).

The issue Freo have is Darcy is a ruck only, he isn't good enough anywhere else on the field. Our set up would suit Jackson if he was in a set up with SDK and Neale because the 3 of them can rotate around the field.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

If he's cheap, surely it's worth the risk?
Looks like he's trimmed down over the preseason as he works on recovery from recent ankle surgery

View attachment 2240524

And yet he's still injured. On a 2 year deal yes but on his long term deal no chance.

 

[Pure_Ownage]

There's also the question of how many eggs you throw in that ruckman basket. We only have so many picks, and so many list spots.

Use of salary cap on a big contract where it could be a medical retirement is really re the bigger issue re s Darcy.

 

[foxdog50]

So are people wanting JUH next year if his available? 12 months ago I would of been all over him, but now I'm less then 30% wanting him...
If he wasn't a no 1 pick and was a pick 9, he would of been kicked off the list of Dogs straight away

 

[iameviljez]

So are people wanting JUH next year if his available? 12 months ago I would of been all over him, but now I'm less then 30% wanting him...

No. It's one thing to take on a player who has had issues but has put in the hard yards at a state league club, and it's another altogether to give someone who hasn't done the work a second crack.

 

[cats_09]

I'd want to see how JUH responds this year, his commitment to football, teammates etc before saying yes or no

 

[Kobe Gryant]

So are people wanting JUH next year if his available? 12 months ago I would of been all over him, but now I'm less then 30% wanting him...
If he wasn't a no 1 pick and was a pick 9, he would of been kicked off the list of Dogs straight away

With all that's going on with him, I don't think it's as simple as a yes or no answer.

A bit like Oliver, it's probably a broad no, and if it is a yes, it's under very specific circumstances which we can't dictate as fans.

(E.g trade capital involved in the deal, clauses in the contract, extensive background evaluation etc etc).

 

[Pure_Ownage]

So are people wanting JUH next year if his available? 12 months ago I would of been all over him, but now I'm less then 30% wanting him...
If he wasn't a no 1 pick and was a pick 9, he would of been kicked off the list of Dogs straight away

If he can turn around his off field friends and lifestyle absolutely. Otherwise no.

 

[Turbocat]

Unlike with Oliver ..he is young , has a contract that an approaching end date ..so he might be Out of Contract and is a forward. The appeal is even higher.

Also unlike Oliver …perhaps because of his youth .. one suspects he still has a little bit growing up to do to make the most of his chances. I wonder whos fault he felt it was when he was not allowed to play in the Indj all star game?

How did he get on with BSmith? Has he reached a point yet where he can put aside non professional inputs and embrace AFL level requirements. One gets the feeling if we had managed to get Oliver it would have been at the right time but he went thru an extended period of turmoil before reaching where he is now.

Its still two seasons away ..all of 2025 and 2026. If JUH relationship with the Dogs gos into meltdown and he wants out Id think we would do our due diligence.

 

[iameviljez]

With all that's going on with him, I don't think it's as simple as a yes or no answer.

A bit like Oliver, it's probably a broad no, and if it is a yes, it's under very specific circumstances which we can't dictate as fans.

(E.g trade capital involved in the deal, clauses in the contract, extensive background evaluation etc etc).

Honestly, I am so wary of people whose clubs just want to wash their hands of them, who are just trying to escape themselves. Geelong's capacity for player rehabilitation does not extend that far. We don't have some kind of magic touch.

I can't think of too many where that kind of relocation of troubled/lazy talent has worked - i.e. Jared Brennan, Cupido, Yarran, Steven Motlop, Fevola, Bundy...

 

[Gazza Greatness]

Honestly, I am so wary of people whose clubs just want to wash their hands of them, who are just trying to escape themselves. Geelong's capacity for player rehabilitation does not extend that far. We don't have some kind of magic touch.

I can't think of too many where that kind of relocation of troubled/lazy talent has worked - i.e. Jared Brennan, Cupido, Yarran, Steven Motlop, Fevola, Bundy...

-
Agree iameviljez:.... certainly there maybe an exception to the rule but given the odds is it really worth it.

 

[small 4wards]

Honestly, I am so wary of people whose clubs just want to wash their hands of them, who are just trying to escape themselves. Geelong's capacity for player rehabilitation does not extend that far. We don't have some kind of magic touch.

I can't think of too many where that kind of relocation of troubled/lazy talent has worked - i.e. Jared Brennan, Cupido, Yarran, Steven Motlop, Fevola, Bundy...

I agree, a player like Stengle who "rehabilitated" themselves here already proved that he had the desire to change and it feels like saying "it's all just Geelong" devalues their personal efforts. As club we can't magically inspire that change, it has to come from the player themselves

 

[iameviljez]

I agree, a player like Stengle who "rehabilitated" themselves here already proved that he had the desire to change and it feels like saying "it's all just Geelong" devalues their personal efforts. As club we can't magically inspire that change, it has to come from the player themselves

Yeah, exactly. And for every Stengle, there's a Jack Steven.

 

[D BRIDGE]

I agree, a player like Stengle who "rehabilitated" themselves here already proved that he had the desire to change and it feels like saying "it's all just Geelong" devalues their personal efforts. As club we can't magically inspire that change, it has to come from the player themselves

Not sure about this one.

JUH is probably in deeper than Stengle ever was though… but we are all guessing a bit when it comes to this stuff.

 

[Footy Smarts]

I agree, a player like Stengle who "rehabilitated" themselves here already proved that he had the desire to change and it feels like saying "it's all just Geelong" devalues their personal efforts. As club we can't magically inspire that change, it has to come from the player themselves

The successful ones normally went back to the state leagues and showed the commitment to get back to the top. Thinking guys like Stengle, Krakour and Marlion Pickett.

I'm struggling to think of a talented player that was let go by an AFL club for off field reasons and came good without a stint of good performance in the state leagues.

 

[And_ROOS]

The successful ones normally went back to the state leagues and showed the commitment to get back to the top. Thinking guys like Stengle, Krakour and Marlion Pickett.

I'm struggling to think of a talented player that was let go by an AFL club for off field reasons and came good without a stint of good performance in the state leagues.

Bingo, they had to go to the lower leagues, get a "real job" aka non AFL job, and actually prove they changed and wanted to play at the top level.

But it also depends on the issues they have. I have severe doubts a Tarryn Thomas can be rehabilitated in the short term, if at all, same goes to a lesser extent when we got Jack Steven.

 

[Phill Hendo]

I don't think comparing JUH's situation to Tarryn Thomas is reasonable.

As for recruiting JUH, yes absolutely I would bring him to the club. His trade value is obviously going down at the moment, reducing the downside, but a season is a long time so we will see.

As for some risk / reward trades obviously they don't always work out, but then, neither does every early draft selection.

 

[AM]

What do you define as a tap ruck?? A tap ruck is a ruckman who has limited ability besides contesting a hitout and cannot contribute to much else.

I think your definition of a tap ruck is a little off

Absolute rubbish yet again. Tap work is just part of a top rucks array. Polly Farmer was a superb tap ruck. Sam Newman claims he taught him the art. Think Polly probably had a few more strings to his bow. As does Gawn.

And before you run off on another wild goose chase, I'm not comparing Gawn's ability to that of Polly's, merely that he's by far the best at that part of the game in the comp. As stated by both Newman and Bartel. Who know a bit about the caper.

 

[And_ROOS]

Absolute rubbish yet again. Tap work is just part of a top rucks array. Polly Farmer was a superb tap ruck. Sam Newman claims he taught him the art. Think Polly probably had a few more strings to his bow. As does Gawn.

And before you run off on another wild goose chase, I'm not comparing Gawn's ability to that of Polly's, merely that he's by far the best at that part of the game in the comp. As stated by both Newman and Bartel. Who know a bit about the caper.

I think when people are saying "tap ruck" they mean thats their specialty. I wouldn't call Gawn a "tap ruck" I would call him an "elite ruck", or I would call other rucks a "serviceable ruck" because maybe they are good at being a link up player etc.

When people say someone is "just a tap ruck" I am thinking Mark Blake or O'Brien from Adelaide, who were great at the centre bounce taps but didn't do a whole lot else i.e weren't notable goal kickers like Ottens, or couldn't get around the ground for their marking strengths like Stanley does (sometimes).

Its like when people talk about someone as a "pressure forward" it basically means a HF or FP who's aim is to contribute pressure acts and the occasional goal. No one denies that Stengle applies a lot of pressure forward, but you wouldn't call Stengle who's strengths are kicking goals a "pressure forward".